CLAPPING Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

clapping 1 of 2

noun

as in cheering

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Dissimilar Words

clapping

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clap

as in slapping

to deliver a blow to (someone or something) usually in a strong vigorous manner clapped him on the back as a friendly gesture

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of clapping

Noun

Detective Jose Mercedes was wheeled out of Jacobi Medical Center in Morris Park on Monday before standing up in front of a group of clapping officers. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 That’s after festival director Alberto Barbera tried to extend the clapping by telling the cast to move up on the stairs inside the Palazzo del Cinema, where the screening was held. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 First, the Huskies mixed it up with some marching band members on the practice field outside of Huskie Stadium, jumping in on a routine and exchanging fight songs, with the players chanting, clapping and pumping their fists during their version. — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Jackson and Esme stood next to each other clapping for their mom while Sarah could be seen snapping photos off to the side. — Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026 The boos were more scattered and barely audible amidst the applause and cheers, which grew louder when the ballpark’s video boards showed the 2018 champ smiling, clapping, and waving from the visitors’ dugout. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Later in the service, the choir would sing a foot-stomping, hand-clapping rendition of a gospel song that set the tone for the preacher to follow with his gospel message. — Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 Fans, who flooded the comments section showering her with clapping-hands and heart emojis, won't have to wait long to see the sportscaster in her new role. — Paris Close, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The crowd lustily makes known its approval, clapping and cheering and spilling out of the park and through the woods comparing favorite tracks and excitedly talking about the set. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 28 July 2026

Verb

At one point, the audience tentatively started clapping then quickly quieted back down. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026 As the judges give him positive feedback, our Danni is very excited, clapping for him and bouncing up and down like a bobblehead going down a cobblestoned street. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026 Zodiac wildlife tours go out regardless of weather; on ours, a humpback, a mother-and-calf gray whale, an orca, and otters clapping their paws like an audience all made an appearance. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2026 Murray reacted coolly as the ice water cascaded over him, standing up and clapping his hands while walking it off. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 The film’s sombre tone and subject matter likely put a damper on the Lido crowd’s reaction, but the movie was well received, with the audience rising for a standing ovation, clapping warmly for four minutes. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026 Firefighters who weren’t yet being deployed lined the route to the tarmac, hooting and clapping and giving high fives. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Pocic immediately started clapping, and Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford rushed over to celebrate with him. — Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 While clapping during the awards ceremony, she got slightly carried away with her celebration. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clapping

Noun

Flair came out of the tunnel to cheering fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The theatrical relationship between wrestlers and spectators—the taunting, cheering and booing—turned the audience into participants in the show.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheering

Verb

Hochman said the nannies were caught on video spanking, slapping or hitting the children.

— News Editor, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026
Residents have reported paying excessive amounts to retrieve their vehicles from tow yards, with companies sometimes slapping extra fees on drivers who contact the police, according to council members.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of slapping

Verb

But Varma and Shivam Dube (27) upped the ante in the final three overs by smacking 57 runs against Sufyan Moqim, Ayub and Ahmed Daniyal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Carrington was ejected from the game in the first half after smacking Cunningham across the face during Cunningham's layup attempt.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of smacking

Noun

Bashing California is a reliable applause line in red states like Nebraska, Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma, where the president has been holding rallies trying to ensure his supporters get out to vote.

— Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Davidson's request was immediately met with cheers and thunderous applause from the studio audience.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of applause

Verb

For the hearing impaired, select rooms feature visual fire alarms plus signals for telephone ringing and door knocking.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Political handicapping has a way of knocking people down a couple of notches.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of knocking

Noun

The buzzy portrait of Tesla, X and SpaceX chief Elon Musk premiered at Venice to critical acclaim, currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (off 28 reviews, see Deadline’s here).

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Like Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong, Widow’s Bay standout Kate O’Flynn could parlay her prestige-TV acclaim to Oscar attention for Tender Loving Care.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Verb

An image from a San Francisco police officer's body camera shows an officer punching Kevon Gibson as he is being restrained by other officers.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
In June, LaBeouf was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to punching three people outside a New Orleans bar during Mardi Gras.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026